Yes, that is what you should be thinking when you read this trip report.
Word has spread about the improved fishing at Maramec Spring Park and the Meramec River outside the park. The park and river are full of fish that must have escaped the park hatchery when the heavy rains in early November flooded the Meramec River basin.
Glenn Haake, Matt McClure, Scott Morris and I (Jim Craig) snuck in this trip on Monday before all of our Christmas plans were due to kick into full swing. We carpooled from Matt’s house and arrived at the park when they opened.
Matt was so eager for this trip, he came dressed in his waders and with his rod rigged. Still, he wasn’t ready to fish any sooner than the rest of us who geared up at the park pavilion. Glenn initiated the trip to get in on the action after reading the Nov 26th trip report. I was very eager to get another shot at these fish. Scott was just happy to be along after his graduation trip at Bennet Spring only 10 days earlier. Yes, I think Scott is hooked.
We were surprised to see the spring water color was very murky, while the river water was very clear. We entered the river at our usual spot (call me if you are not familiar) and started to fish our way up the “bend.” I have to admit the fishing started off much slower than I expected. Matt started nymphing with a cerise worm and ruby red midge. Glenn began by nymphing a blowtorch and egg. Scott started with a wooly bugger then switched to a blow torch. I started stripping an olive leech. The first 30-45 mins were very slow—just a few hits and only a little guy to the net.
That was enough for Matt to head back to fish in the park. Just after Matt left, the fishing turned on, like a switch. Glenn, Scott and I started catching fish after fish (after I switched to a Charlie Brown wooly bugger with an orange bead). We were catching so many fish that we barely made it down to the first riffle before lunch.
We ate lunch in the park pavilion. Good thing we did. The only rain of the day rolled through while we ate lunch. We were happy to hear that Matt also had a great morning in the park nymphing the cerise worm.
After lunch Matt joined Glen and me for a walk back to the river. Scott stayed and fished in the park because he had to leave soon after lunch. His Christmas family gathering was beginning that afternoon. We fished the same stretch of water in the afternoon, but Glenn and I fished down to the old bridge pilings before walking the road back to near the bend. The fish never took a break, and it really didn’t matter too much how you fished or the fly you used. They were hungry! Matt and Glenn tore them up all afternoon with the Stag streamer (an orange bead on a rusty-brown mohair leech). I stayed with the Charlie Brown wooly bugger until I ran out of those flies and switched to an olive wooly bugger with a gold bead. It didn’t matter.
We decided to finish the day by trying a new place for our fellowship dinner. After lots of discussion and Google searches, we headed to Country Bob’s Café in St. James. I have to admit, it looked pretty sketchy as we pulled up. But, we were greeted by friendly staff, and found the prices were very reasonable. The food was also good and served quickly. I wouldn’t make it a destination restaurant, but if you are looking for a local restaurant with comfort food, we found it quite satisfying.
With FATC, you can always count on the fellowship of these trips to be excellent, but there is never a guarantee on the fishing. For this trip, however, we were certainly gifted with excellent fishing. Now the ball is in your court. We are willing to share the gift if you join us the next time you see a trip posted. (Hint: there might be one just around the corner. Watch your email.)
